Got an angle grinder and was wondering how to remove the disc. You have looked high and low and can’t find how to remove the disc for the size of grinder you have or the situation you are in.
You came to the right place. I have worked in the metal industry for a while now and I have seen it all. From broken discs, broken locks, and just quick changes. There are a ton of different methods you can use and knowing when to do what is the most important.
I will be covering mainly 9-inch grinders because if you are able to change a disc for it, you will definitely be able to change a disc on any smaller grinder. The concept stays the same for all sizes.
The intended way to remove a disc from an angle grinder
The proper way of removing a disc is very simple and can be done by just being shown once.
- Make sure the grinder isn’t plugged in or has any source of power. You wouldn’t want it turning on while you are handling the disc
- Press the lock and turn the disc slowly till you feel it lock in place.
- Insert the disc spanner it the grinder nut
- Hold the grinder firmly in place. Don’t be shy to ask someone to help you hold it.
- Turn into the direction of the arrow shown in front
- Apply the necessary amount of force.
How tight the disc is to the grinder is directly related to the amount of time you have been using the disc. For example, it will be a lot easier to remove a grinding disc that you just use for 5 minutes than one that has been used for a constant hour.
Removing a disc without a disc spanner
The safest way you can remove a disc without a disc spanner is just by pressing down the lock and turning it with your hand. It can be a bit difficult due to how tight it is, but just try to apply more force then it will come loose.
If you have tried the above-mentioned method and it doesn’t seem to work then press the lock and spin the disc forward and give it a sudden jerk backward with the palm of your hand. You can find videos on this easily.
If you are using a larger 9-inch grinder. Use the same method as what I mention below when removing a disc with a broken lock.
Removing a disc when the lock is broken
When the lock is broken you have two ways of removing a disc and none of them are pretty. You will definitely damage your disc or even completely ruin it. So you must be sure when attempting it that you most likely won’t need to use the disc again.
First of all, you can clamp the disc fixed to a table and use the disc spanner to loosen the nut. If the disc is very tight it might not budge or you might rip the disc.
The second method is to hold the grinder’s body towards you and spin the disc with your hand anti-clockwise and then give it a sudden jolt clockwise. Remember to wear high-quality gloves when doing this.
Another quick method is just to hold the disc and the disc spanner with one hand. Give the spanner light taps with a hammer till the disc comes loose. Just note this method will most likely only work when your disc isn’t very tight.
Removing a disc from a 9-inch grinder with a broken lock.
It might not be as easy to use your hand with the larger size grinder, but you can still try. I recommend you push the grinder’s disc slowly backward on the floor, which must be a hard floor like cement or brick, and give it a sudden jerk forward against the ground.
Keep trying this till it comes loose, it might not work the first time. Also, try to avoid hitting the disc hard against the floor when moving forward.
Removing a disc when it is extremely tight or/and broken
The first thing you can try is to use a hammer and chisel. Press the lock and put the edge of the chisel at a slight angle into one of the holes of the nut. Slowly hammer it into the anti-clockwise direction. Avoid hitting it hard because you will most likely damage the nut and can even damage the lock.
If the lock is broken you can still use a hammer and chisel, it is your best bet. You can try to clamp the disc to a table to help keep it in place or just hit the chisel without clamping. Just note that you will need to hit it a bit harder if you don’t clamp the disc.
Removing a broken disc that is extremely tight without a disc spanner and the lock is broken.
If you find yourself in this situation your best bet is to grab a chisel and a hammer. Slowly hit the nut anti-clockwise till it comes completely loose. First, try to use soft taps and proceed to use more force if it doesn’t come loose.
I hate the method of cutting off the nut with another grinder, but it can also work. Just use it as a last resort. The reason why I don’t like it is that you run a high risk of damaging the threads of the tightening bolt, also it feels very unprofessional. I would personally rather struggle till it is loosened.
Best way to remove a disc from an angle grinder.
The best way will be the proper way by using the disc spanner and lock. If you don’t have a spanner or the lock is broken then the best way is to slowly roll the disc backward on a hard floor and give it a sudden jolt forward.
